TRIBUTES have been paid to a former teacher who died after being swept into a river in strong winds.

Valerie Weston went missing from her home in Chapel Terrace, Irwell Vale, and her body was discovered 10 miles downstream 36 hours later near Bury town centre.

Police say there were no suspicious circumstances into the 58-year-old’s death and an inquest is due to formally open in the next few days.

Janice Johnson, who runs Irwell Vale village nursery and had known Mrs Weston for 25 years, said: "She was the kindest, loveliest person in the world and everyone was very sad when we heard the news that she was missing.

"I'm utterly devastated and I can't stop crying."

On the night of March 30 when she went missing, Mrs Weston had spent the evening at home with two friends, who left at about 10.50pm.

Due to high winds, the Met Office had issued a flood warning for the area and it is understood that Mrs Weston had gone into her back garden, which backs on to the River Irwell, to check on her plants and to ensure a canoe was still tethered to the river bank.

Lancashire Police issued a missing person's appeal but their search was called off when a body was spotted in the river off Wellington Street, close to the grounds of Bury Grammar School, last Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs Johnson added: "Valerie was my first friend when I moved to the village.

"Valerie absolutely loved the river and it's ironic that is what has taken her in the end.

"She knew everybody in the village and she did not have a bad word to say about anyone.

"Valerie lived near to me in Milne Street when I first moved and only moved to Chapel Terrace a few years ago.

"She had been busy making sure the house was all lovely and that the garden was all sorted as well.

"She was exciting for the future and had lots of plans and was waiting for me to retire.

"Valerie bought a campervan and was due to go away in the next few days and was looking forward to making more plans.

"I brought my children up with hers and she was my best friend."

Mrs Weston leaves son Joe and daughter Elizabeth. Her husband Dave died in 2013.

Originally from Radcliffe, Mrs Weston taught at Coney Green High School until the late 1990s.

Afterwards, she worked full-time at the Blackburn officer of the Lifeline Project charity from 1997 to 2005, which helps young people to prevent and reduce harm caused by drug abuse.

Mrs Weston's role was to advise schools about the dangers of drug abuse and to work with children who use drugs and provide advocacy support.

The charity's chief executive officer Ian Wardle said: "It is devastating news.

"Valerie was very highly regarded by all of us. She had a real enthusiasm for her work and believed in giving it 110 per cent.

"She was committed to working with a group of young people who are frequently misunderstood."

Mum-of-one Elizabeth Moore, aged 41, who lives near to Mrs Weston's home, said: "It's so shocking and there is a lot of sadness in the village.

"I only saw her the other day and she was happy and bubbly.

"Everybody knows who she is and has a connection to her in some way and this is such sad news."

Neighbour Carolyn Smith, aged 42, said: "It has been a real shock to so many people and it must be a nightmare for the family."

Milne Street resident Summer Johnston, aged 36, added: "This has come as a real shock and it's such a tragedy.

"The river was very high on that night and looked dangerous."